Ten Hag proud of Man Utd resilience in EFL Cup thriller
Erik ten Hag was proud of Manchester United's resilience after the Red Devils came from behind twice to seal a frantic 4-2 win over Aston Villa in the EFL Cup on Thursday.
United were heading for a second consecutive exit in the third round of the competition when Ollie Watkins opened the scoring at Old Trafford, and again when Diogo Dalot crossed his own net after Anthony Martial's equalizer.
p>However, Marcus Rashford put United level before goals from Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay retired the game at Villa, helping the Red Devils progress to the fourth round.
Ten Hag put in an 'unacceptable' performance as United lost 3-1 in the Premier League to Villa on Sunday, but was delighted with Thursday's comeback against the same opponents.
"No two halves are ever the same, it's true. In the first half we controlled the game with good pressing, we won a lot of balls in the opponent's half, but then we did the wrong things,” he told Sky Sports shortly before United were drawn with Burnley in the fourth round.
"At half-time, we said to ourselves 'let's keep pressing but let's be more direct, let's pass the ball behind their defence'. Then we came back, we fought back.
"I'm really proud of the team that was able to do this after Sunday's loss.
"I'm really happy with that resilience, that's what we have to show in every game, that's why I was so disappointed - so angry - with the performance on Sunday.
"We didn't fight, we didn't cooperate, we were negligent - especially in defensive discipline, and a United player must always show 100% discipline."
United travel to Fulham for their last Premier League game before the World Cup on Sunday, and Ten Hag says the extended break will allow for better analysis of his side's progress.
“Now we have a little more time, we can go a little further and we will see where we can improve. We will definitely have a good reflection,” added Ten Hag.
"It's a fast game, an intense game, and what we have to do best is play high intensity football, that's what the best teams do.
"I think we've taken a step in the right direction, but on the ball we can be more in control. There's still a long way to go."
Meanwhile, Rashford touched the net for the eighth time this season on the day he was named in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup, and the 25-year-old believes focusing on United has served him well.
“For me, the focus is on United. If you play for United, England will always be around the corner,” Rashford said.
"I'm obviously very happy to be back in the mix and back with the team, and it's going to be a huge month so I'm looking forward to it, but hopefully we can wrap it up this chapter with a win on Sunday."
Erik ten Hag was proud of Manchester United's resilience after the Red Devils came from behind twice to seal a frantic 4-2 win over Aston Villa in the EFL Cup on Thursday.
United were heading for a second consecutive exit in the third round of the competition when Ollie Watkins opened the scoring at Old Trafford, and again when Diogo Dalot crossed his own net after Anthony Martial's equalizer.
p>However, Marcus Rashford put United level before goals from Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay retired the game at Villa, helping the Red Devils progress to the fourth round.
Ten Hag put in an 'unacceptable' performance as United lost 3-1 in the Premier League to Villa on Sunday, but was delighted with Thursday's comeback against the same opponents.
"No two halves are ever the same, it's true. In the first half we controlled the game with good pressing, we won a lot of balls in the opponent's half, but then we did the wrong things,” he told Sky Sports shortly before United were drawn with Burnley in the fourth round.
"At half-time, we said to ourselves 'let's keep pressing but let's be more direct, let's pass the ball behind their defence'. Then we came back, we fought back.
"I'm really proud of the team that was able to do this after Sunday's loss.
"I'm really happy with that resilience, that's what we have to show in every game, that's why I was so disappointed - so angry - with the performance on Sunday.
"We didn't fight, we didn't cooperate, we were negligent - especially in defensive discipline, and a United player must always show 100% discipline."
United travel to Fulham for their last Premier League game before the World Cup on Sunday, and Ten Hag says the extended break will allow for better analysis of his side's progress.
“Now we have a little more time, we can go a little further and we will see where we can improve. We will definitely have a good reflection,” added Ten Hag.
"It's a fast game, an intense game, and what we have to do best is play high intensity football, that's what the best teams do.
"I think we've taken a step in the right direction, but on the ball we can be more in control. There's still a long way to go."
Meanwhile, Rashford touched the net for the eighth time this season on the day he was named in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup, and the 25-year-old believes focusing on United has served him well.
“For me, the focus is on United. If you play for United, England will always be around the corner,” Rashford said.
"I'm obviously very happy to be back in the mix and back with the team, and it's going to be a huge month so I'm looking forward to it, but hopefully we can wrap it up this chapter with a win on Sunday."
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